Jurić: “It was important to get back on track.”

Thursday’s 1-0 win over Torino was not a pretty win; it was not a win that made me believe that this club is going to return to the Champions League; it was not a win that made me think that Ivan Jurić is the next Sir Alex Ferguson. However, it was still a win, and considering how those are in short supply at the Stadio Olimpico these days, I’m walking with a touch more of a spring in my step today now that Roma secured the three points.

Ivan Jurić must also be relieved, as the Torino win staves off his potential firing by at least another match day. Here’s what he said in the post-match presser, with some additional Miotto’s Musings to end your week.

That was an important and deserved win tonight, especially given the period you’re going through. I was particularly impressed by how determined the team looked when you lost the ball. Are you pleased with the team’s response? Is that what you were looking for from a mental perspective and in terms of how you want the game played?

“It was important for us to get back on track after Florence. We did really well against a team that are tough to play against. The lads played well when moving the ball around, defensively and in timing things right. When we needed to be a bit tighter, they did everything well, both with the ball and while chasing it. In what was a very difficult moment, everything went well.”

Miotto’s Musing: It certainly was critical for the Giallorossi to get back on track following the free-fall over the last several weeks. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the ship is no longer sinking, but we’ve at least stopped taking on additional water. I wouldn’t necessarily call Torino a tough side myself, but you need to walk before you can run, and Roma needs to beat the Torinos of the world before they can beat the Inters.

Did you expect such a compact response off the pitch as well? You got the support you needed.

“We have to give our fans something to smile about. We have to give them joy again. Today there were times when I heard applause, when they were happy. Only with performances like that can we regain their trust. That’s the big target for my team.”

Miotto’s Musing: I’m not sure I have joy just yet, but I do have less exasperation. So that’s nice.

Roma came back out for the second half before Torino. I guess you didn’t say much during the break.

“There were some difficult moments after Florence, which was only right. Now we just need to think about playing football, about improving our performances, being focused on the ball, on our games, and nothing else.

“The team looked very focused to me today. We barely gave Torino a look-in. I’m very pleased with the players who started and those who came off the bench. They gave everything.”

Miotto’s Musing: I agree with this mentality. Roma needs to focus on each match one minute at a time for the next several weeks and ignore the table. Roma’s still tenth in the standings despite their win over Torino, and there will inevitably be ups and downs for the team even if they put in the hard work of grinding out 1-0 wins like this one. This team has the talent and potential to be great, but focus will be the true difference-maker in the long term.

What do you think when you see that ‘Daje Ivan’ (Come on, Ivan) banner?

“I don’t know if it was for me or someone else. Up till now, I don’t have reason to be very happy. I’ve done some quite good things but we can do a lot better. I hope to regain the fans’ trust through our performances, our solidity, our play and our ideas. That’s what I hope.”

Miotto’s Musing: Humility is good. I’m hoping that Ivan Jurić proves himself in Rome, simply because this is his big chance at managing a power player in Serie A. I don’t know what his next step would be if he fails at Roma, and I don’t know what Roma’s next step would be if Jurić fails either. Let’s hope that the support for Jurić continues, both in the stands and in the locker room.

What can you say about the partnership between Manu Kone and Enzo Le Fee?

“They’re a good pairing because Manu is very strong and has lots of other qualities. Le Fee is very intelligent. He reads the game so well, plugs gaps, and gives us balance. I was happy with them today, each with their own attributes. They gave us intensity defensively but also with the ball: they moved it around well.”

Miotto’s Musing: The Kone-Le Fée partnership is an interesting one for Roma to develop, regardless of who the manager is moving forward. With Leandro Paredes likely leaving for Boca next summer and Bryan Cristante being a... controversial figure, Kone and Le Fée seem as if they’re the most likely midfielders to be true long-term building blocks for this side. If they can work well together and provide defensive strength with offensive creativity, Roma will be in very good shape.

On Sunday you’ll be facing another of your former sides. Will Artem Dovbyk be available again? Is Lorenzo Pellegrini ok?

“Pellegrini was a technical decision. He came on and played like a captain, and I’m very happy. Dovbyk had a virus but I hope to have him back for Sunday. We tried this solution, with a sort of false nine, and it worked well for long spells. But it’s important to get the others fit again too.”

Miotto’s Musing: Roma can’t run on the false nine system forever; it’s an outdated tactic for a reason. While Paulo Dybala can certainly succeed in that role, Roma’s offense needs to pick up and include all of the shiny new attacking toys that Florent Ghisolfi brought in over the summer. Soulé, Dovbyk, and Dybala need to coexist, and they need to score. Making sure those three mesh and score should be priority number one for Ivan Jurić moving forward. Without that, Roma will likely be stuck in mid-table purgatory.